Automobile parking garage



June 13, 1950 Filed July 2, 1947 v V. C. BOWSER AUTOMOBILE PARKING GARAGE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 13, 1950 v. c. BOWSER 2,511,619

AUTOMOBILE PARKING GARAGE Filed Jul 2, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 2 June 13, 1950 v. c. BOWSER 2,511,619

AUTOMOBILE PARKING GARAGE Filed July 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 13, 1950 v, c, BOWSER- 2,511,619

AUTOMOBILE PARKING GARAGE Filed July 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

Bo'wzw June 13, 1950 v. c. BOWSER AUTOMOBILE PARKING GARAGE Filed July 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June l3, 1950 v, c; ws 2,511,619

AUTOMOBILE PARKING GARAGE Filed July 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 V //A Y//////' ///////Z 83 Patented June 13, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE PARKING GARAGE Virgil C. Bowser, Silver Spring, Md.

Application July 2, 1947, Serial No. 758,561

9 Claims. 1

My present invention involves the. construction of a building having a plurality of floors, a central elevator hatchway and a specially constructed elevator mechanism therein serving each floor and the several spaces or stalls on each of them which are arranged to receive one or more motor vehicles as they are successively brought into delivery position by the elevator.

In the accomplishment of the above purposes my invention also has for its object to provide an elevator mechanism comprising guide ways, which may be of any required length according to the height of the building served, suspended from a traveling crane, in which the elevator car is moved vertically, together with means for steadying the suspended framework whereby as it is moved laterally in the hatchway the possibility of its swaying is prevented.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved elevator system for rapidly servicing rows of stalls on different floors of a building opening into a hatchway in which the elevator car is guided in a suspended framework by employing in conjunction therewith cable connections attached to the building and carried over sheaves attached to the framework at its upper and lower ends whereby they move in unison said arrangement permitting the framework to be made as a comparatively light structure capable of rapid manipulation laterally at the same time the elevator car is traveling either upwardly or downwardly.

To these and other ends my invention comprises further improvements and advantages as will be further described in the accompanying specification, the novel features thereof being set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, showing part of a building structure having several floor levels extending at opposite sides of a hatchway in which is located an elevator mechanism embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a view taken at right angles to that of Fig. 1 as seen in section taken on the line 2-2 of Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 showing the crane and parts thereon.

Figure 4 is a central horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a detail side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the lower or pit end of the elevator car carrying frame.

Figure 7 is an elevational sectional view showing the lower end of the elevator car carrying frame, as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows on line of P18. 6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 2 showing the reeving of the steadying cables employed with the suspended framework of the elevator mechanism.

Similar reference numerals, in the several figures, indicate similar parts.

My invention contemplates the construction of a building to provide storage space for a large number of motor vehicles and associated elevator apparatus for handling vehicles with the utmost speed both in placing them in storage and subsequently delivering them on call to their owners. The building is specially constructed and comprises successive floors which preferably extend in opposite directions from a hatchway which latter is of a length coincident with the full length of said floors and of a width to accommodate an elevator car capable of transporting automobiles. The top of the hatchway extends above the roof of the building sufliciently to accommodate the hoisting mechanism and enable the elevator car to service the uppe floor of the building. Therein is housed a crane from which is suspended the guide framework for the elevator car. The hoisting mechanism for the latter and the driving devices for moving the elevator lengthwise of the hatchway and the several control devices, these instrumentalities are all carried on the crane platform.

In furtherance of the general assembly briefly set forth and to the end that the invention may be readily understood I have illustrated in the drawings the essential portions of a building which will comprise enclosing walls, two of which is shown in Fig. 2 and indicated as Ill and I0, supporting any desired number of floors. These are indicated by H, one of which ll'a represents the ground, or street, or approach level, while the uppermost floor may be roofed over as indicated by 12.

The elevator hatchway (Fig. 1) may extend across one end of the several floors but it is pref erable to locate it centrally, or thereabouts, of the building to facilitate ready access to each half portion. Some of the building floors may be located subsurface as in the basement of the building but however they are disposed the hatch way is bottomed in a pit l3. Its upper end extends above the roof l2 and is enclosed, as indicated at H. Incorporated in the building structure at the upper sides of the hatchway and at approximateLv the roof level are parallel guide rails |5-|6 along which the elevator mechanism as a whole travels.

The elevator mechanism embodies a crane portion and a suspended guide frame for the elevator car, the former carrying the drive mechanism for manipulating the crane from one end of the hatchway to the other, the elevator car hoisting devices and the several controls employed for these separate elements.

The crane, shown in plan view in Fig. 3, comprises a rectangular frame carrying a platform. It has side pieces 20-2l and connecting end pieces 22-23. Beneath the corners of the frame are supporting wheels Journaled in suitable brackets, one pair of which 24-25 are idlers, the other pair 26-21 being drive wheels, all of which are grooved peripherally to provide flanges which embrace the sides of the rails |5| 6. The supporting axles Ma-21a of the drive wheels also carry sprockets 26b- 21b which are driven by chains 26c--21c, trained over other sprockets 26d2'ld on a drive shaft 28 which extends lengthwise of the crane frame. The latter also carries a reversible motor 29 having a driving connection, such as a chain 30, extending from a sprocket on its armature shaft to a second sprocket on the shaft 28, by means of which the crane may be operated at will, in either direction from one end of the hatchway to the other by suitable control devices.

The elevator car, or cake, indicated by 40 in Figs. 1 and 2, is guided for vertical movement in a frame suspended from the side pieces Ml-2|, Fig. 3, of the crane, comprising spaced vertical members extending the full height of the building, their lower ends reaching nearly to the bottom of the hatchway pit l3. One side of this frame is constructed of a plate 4|, Fig. 4, the inner face of which extends parallel to and in alinement with the inner edge of the side piece 2|, Fig. 3, of the crane. It is stiffened along its vertical edges by angle pieces 42, Fig. 4, one edge or flange of each which lies against the inner face of the plate and the other embraces its lateral edge. Also secured to the outer face of the plate, throughout its length, is a channel piece 43. This is preferably mounted along the longitudinal center line of the plate, serving both to stiffen the plate and form a backing for the elevator car guide or way 44.

The opposite side of the suspended frame is built in the form of an open work cage forming a channel for the elevator car counterweight. It comprises the spaced guideways 45, 48 and an inner lattice work side formed of spaced horizontal members 41 and diagonal truss pieces 48 alternating therewith, also outer horizontal members 49, the ends of which are united to the corresponding ends of the similar members 41, by tie pieces. The latter also serve as stiffening backers for the counterweight guide ways 4546. A second guide way for the car, indicated by 50, is provided on the inner side of the lattice work in alinement with the corresponding guide way 44 on the vertical plate 4|.

The lower ends of the above described vertical side pieces of the elevator car frame are connected rigidly 'by cross bracing 5|, the lower edges of which lie slightly above the flooring of the pit l3 and in the space thus provided there is secured a rail 52 which extends lengthwise of the pit. This rail is in the form of an inverted T, and, against opposite sides of the upstanding portions thereof are four horizontal guide wheels 53, journaled on studs carried on the cross bracing members 5| (Fig. 6). a

An additional feature of my invention is the frame stabilizer which is of especial importance because it enables the elevator car guide frame to be made as a comparatively light structure yet operated with precision, without distortion in conveying loads and capable of being operated under high speeds. .In the accomplishment of this object I provide at the upper end of the car guide frame, at one side thereof, a double groove sheave 60 journaled on a bracket 6| directly below the crane (Figs. 2 and 8). At the extreme lower end of the frame and on the same side I also mount a similar sheave 62. Both of these sheaves are journaled to rotate in a plane in the direction of travel of the car frame and carry cables attached to the walls of the building at the two ends of the elevator hatchway. The arrangement of the stabilizer is illustrated diagrammatically particularly in Fig. 8. One of the cables designated 63 is attached to one of the walls ID of the building at the top of the hatchway and extends over the sheave 60 thence downwardly around sheave 62 as indicated by a and horizontally, as shown by 63a, to the foundation 65 beneath the building wall In. A second opposing cable 66, attached to the wall i0, is also trained over the top of sheave 60, and extends downwardly, as indicated by b, thence around sheave 62 and horizontally, as shown at 66a to the point of anchorage on the foundation 6! beneath wall I0. Provision is made for maintaining each of said cables under tension as by means of turn buckles 68.

From inspection of Fig. 8 it will be seen that when the crane moves the elevator car guide frame in one direction the upper course of one of the cables, say cable 63, will be lengthened and by reason of its cross connection a, its lower end 63a will be shortened. Simultaneously as the upper course of cable 66 is shortened its lower course 66a, being acted upon by the intermediate portion b, will :be lengthened. Accordingly the movement of the crane and car guide frame in the opposite direction produces a reversal in the disposition of the cable sections as just described. It will be seen therefore that by reason of the cross reeving of the cables in the opposite directions around the sheaves at the two ends of the guide frame, perfect synchronism in the movement of the upper and lower ends of the frame is maintained at all times. Since the guide frame is thus held in a truly vertical position at all times it is possible to shift it through the action of the crane drive motor 29 at maximum speed.

At a mid point, or otherwise as may be desired and depending on the height of the building, and in alinement with one of the floor levels, the car guide frame carries a horizontal bracing unit the ends of which engage tracks in the exposed edges of the flooring to resist thrust that may be imparted to the framework by the shifting of the center of loads on the car platform, such as the sudden starting and stopping of a motor vehicle as it is driven onto and off from the elevator car. This bracing is in the form of a truss which at one side comprises alined bars 10 extending horizontally from the opposite edges of the frame plate 4| and angularly disposed bars II fixed at their proximate ends to the stiflening ribs 43 and united at their extremities to the ends of the bars 10. At the opposite side of the suspended guide frame similar alined bars 12 extend laterally from the two inner edges of the lattice work while other bars 13 project from the outer corners of said lattice work to the outer extremities of bars I! (see Fig. 4). In the mounting of this trussing frame it is located at the level of one of the intermediate :building floors and the united ends of the several bars are connected by tie rods 14-45 which also serve as spacers. At each of the four corners of the trussing .frame I locate a wheel or roller 16 positioned to bear against rails ll-18 embeddedin the free edges of the floor at opposite sides of the hatchway.

The elevator car 40 comprises the usual loading platform suspended from a cross head which, as

shown in Fig. 4, comprises spaced channels IHI.

The latter may serve as the point of connection for the hoisting cables or as supports for hoisting sheaves. The cross head is centrally located and is in alinement with the rails 44 and on which the elevator car is guided by the usual guide shoes 82.

The elevator car counterweight, indicated by II in Fig. 1, is guided in the lattice work cage on the rails 45-46 (Fig. 4) and is connected to the car by counterbalancing cables which pass over the sheave 84 located in said lattice work below the crane.

The elevator car hoisting machinery is carried on the crane platform and indicative thereof there is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a reversible motor 85, the armature of which is in driving connection with a worm gear unit 86 for rotating a traction sheave 81. The arrangement of those parts as shown is designed for a two-to-one hitch, the outer edge of the sheave 81 being alined with one edge of the adjacent counterweight sheave 84 whereby the multiple hoisting cables which are anchored at their ends to the crane pass downward and beneath the two sheaves 88-89 (Fig. 4) on the car cross head ll-fl thence upward over the traction sheave O1 and counterweight sheave. Control panels ll-'9l for the floor selector and tier selector, re spectively, and the governor safety device 92 are also carried on the crane.

Electric current for energizing the motors 28 and 85 is supplied by trolley wires 93-94-45, extending lengthwise across the top of the hatchway,..at one side thereof, with which engage suitable trolleys on a frame 96 located at one end of the crane platform.

The arrangement of the operating mechanism is such that it can be manipulated by the standard push button controls and I have therefore not illustrated these but it will be understood that on the elevator car there will be a series of circuit operating button switches, one for each tier of parking stalls for operating the crane hori-. zontally along the hatchway, in opposite directions and one for each floor level of the building, whereby the elevator car will be simultaneously moved vertically either upward or downward.

I claim:

1. An automobile storage building having a plurality of floors and provided with a hatchway extending through said floors and lengthwise thereof, a crane supported for transverse movement above the hatchway, an elevator guide frame suspended from the crane in the central longitudinal plane of the hatchway, and means for guiding its lower end in said plane. sheaves at the upper and lower ends of said frame, synchronizing cables each attached at its ends to the building at the ends of the hatchway and reeved in opposite directions over said sheaves, an

6 elevator car guided in the frame, and hoisting means therefor carried on the crane.

2. A storage building for automobiles having a plurality of floors at different levels and provided with an elevator hatchway extending through the several floors and lengthwise thereof, a traveling crane supported at the top of the hatchway and movable from end to end therein, an elevator guide frame comprising guideways suspended from the crane in a central position of the hatchway, connections between the lower ends of the guideways, a central rail at the bottom of the hatchway for guiding said frame, sheaves at the upper and lower ends of the latter and cables reeved on the sheaves and each being connected at its ends to the building at opposite ends of the hatchway and serving to synchronize the movement of the two ends of the frame in a plane longitudinally of the hatchway, an elevator car guided in said frame and hoisting apparatus therefor mounted on the crane.

3. A storage building for automobiles comprising walls enclosing floors and an elevator hatchway extending between two of such walls and through all of said floors, a rectangular crane frame movable longitudinally over the top of the hatchway having end members spanning the hatchway, an elevator guide frame composed of car guide members suspended from the centers of said end members, a rail located in a fixed longitudinal central position at the bottom of the hatchway for guiding said frame, means for driving the crane, sheaves at the upper and lower ends of the frame, separate cables each attached at its extremities to the building walls at opposite ends of the hatchway in alinement with the sheaves and each reeved over said sheaves with their intermediate portions between the sheaves in crossed relation, an elevator car guided on said frame and hoisting mechanism therefor mounted on the crane.

4. An elevator system for a building having a plurality of floors and provided with a hatchway extending through and lengthwise of'the several floors, comprising a crane movable lengthwise of the hatchway having end members spanning said hatchway, an elevator guide frame composed of a pair of vertical guides suspended from the crane end members and arranged centrally of the two opposite sides of the hatchway, one of said guides being of vertical open work cage construction, an elevator car carried in said frame, a counterweight connected to the car and guided in said cage constructed guide and apparatus for hoisting the car carried on the crane.

5. An elevator system for a, building having a plurality of floors and provided with a hatchway extending through and lengthwise of the several floors, comprising a crane movable lengthwise of the hatchway havin end members spanning said hatchway, an elevator guide frame composed of vertical guides suspended from the crane and members in a vertical plane extending in the longitudinal center of the hatchway, one of said guides being a vertical cage rectangular in cross section, a sheave in the upper end of said cage, an elevator car supported in the guide frame, a counterweight guided in the cage and a cable connection between the car and weight carried by said sheave, and apparatus for hoisting the car mounted on the crane.

6. An elevator system for a building having a plurality of floors and provided with a hatchway extending through and lengthwise of the several floors, comprising a crane movable lengthwise of the hatchway having end members spanning said hatchway, an elevator guide frame composed of vertical guides suspended from the crane and members in a plane extending in the longitudinal center of the hatchway, one of said guides being a trussed vertical plate, the other an open work cage trussed vertically and laterally and rollers on the corners of said frame cooperating with the edges of a floor at opposite sides of the hatchway, a rail extending centrally at the bothaving a vertical central opening, guides within the cage, an elevator car carried in the guide frame, a counterweight connected to the car and guided on the cage guides, a longitudinally extending track located centrally at the bottom of the hatchway supporting the lower ends of the guide frame against movement transversely of the hatchway and means for synchronizing the movement of the upper and lower ends of said frame during travel of the frame longitudinally of the hatchway, means for driving the crane and means for hoisting the elevator car.

7. The combination with a building having walls enclosing a plurality of floors and having a hatchway extending through and lengthwise of the floors, of a crane having end pieces spanning the top of the hatchway and movable lengthwise thereof, an elevator guide frame comprising a plate guide member suspended from one end of the crane and a tubular guide member suspended from the other end of the crane, said members being located in a central longitudinal plane of the hatchway, an elevator car in said frame and a horizontally disposed trussing frame attached at points intermediate the lengths of the plate and tube members and cooperating with the edges of a floor to prevent transverse motion of the frame as automobiles are driven on andoif the elevator car, at opposite sides of the hatchway, a counterbalance connected to the car and guided in the tubular member and hoisting apparatus for the car mounted on the crane.

8. The combination with a building having walls enclosing a plurality of floors and having a hatchway extending through and lengthwise of the floors, of a crane having end pieces spanning the top of the hatchway and movable lengthwise thereof, an elevator guide frame comprising a plate guide member suspended from one end of the crane and a tubular guide member suspended from the other end of the crane, said members being located in a central longitudinal plane of the hatchway, and a rectangular horizontally disposed trussing frame attached to said plate and tubular members midway of their length,

tom of the hatchway supporting the lower end of the guide frame against lateral displacement. sheaves at the upper and lower ends of said frame and cables each attached at their ends to the building walls at opposite ends of the hatchway in alinement with the sheaves and reeved in opposite directions around the sheaves whereby as the crane moves the elevator frame in either direction, movement of its top and bottom are synchronized, an elevator car in said frame and means for hoisting it.

9. The combination with a building having walls enclosing a plurality of floors and a hatchway extending longitudinally of the building and through said floors, of a crane having end members and movable lengthwise over the top of the hatchway, an elevator guide frame suspended from said end members in acentral longitudinal plane of the hatchway, sheaves at the top and bottom of the frame journaled for rotation in said central plane, cables passing over the upper sheave and each attached at one end to different building walls in alinement with said sheave. thence extending downwardly in crossed relation and passing under the lower sheave and respectively attached at their second ends to the walls of the building opposite to that to which their first mentioned ends are connected.

VIRGlL C. BOWSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Dat 399,752 Horrocks Mar. 19, 1889 1,122,396 Jackson Dec. 29, 1914 1,288,567 Hall Dec. 24, 1918 1,702,783 Kiesling Feb; 19, 1929 1,779,998 Beecher et a1 Oct. 28, 1930 1,864,093 Prince June 21, 1932 1,896,900 Kiesling Feb. '7, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,687 Great Britain of 1840 

